Indian Pantry 101: Aarti's Spice Essentials

I have every one of these spices.  I wanted to share this link in case anyone is considering trying to cook some Indian food.  It's my favorite!  And so is Miss Aarti Sequeira!

Indian Pantry 101

Thank Goodness for Short Work Weeks!

This Thursday is Thanksgiving and that means a day that I don't have to cook!  It also means I only have to cook for a few days this week instead of a full week.  I'm going to make meatballs and marinara on Friday since I'm off.  One night this week will be spaghetti, one will be Confederate Pot Roast which is bubbling away on my cast iron dutch oven, and another night will be Bacon Chicken Pasta.  I'll have to blog that one later on.  My house smells so good.  Nothing beats sauteed onions and bacon!

Now I need to get back on the laundry.  Ugh!

Chicken Makhani aka Butter Chicken

As I've said before, I love Indian food.  This is actually the dish that did it.  Karuna sent some of this home for me one day and I fell in love.  I was afraid in the beginning because I knew there was yogurt in the sauce and I hate yogurt.  Let me tell you, it's so good!  I make this for lunches for myself fo work.  It's tastes so much better than my measly little picture lets on!

Chicken Makhani

Serve it over some basmati rice and with a little naan on the side and you're all set.  Mmmmm mmmm!

Cinnamon Honey Butter

This is the most incredible butter ever!!  I was home one day over the summer and was watching Food Network as usual.  Ina Garten made this butter and I just had to try it.  Let me tell you, it was the most delicious thing ever.  I spread it on everything I could!  Biscuits, bread, rolls, you name it.  See my lovely pic of it below.  I was sad when it was all gone.  I need to make it again soon.  It will keep in the fridge for a long time, too.  :-)

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Beautiful, isn't it??

Sloppy Bombay Joes

I love Indian food.  My friend Karuna sends dishes home with my hubby every once in a while so I can try them.  Her mom can make any everyday dish something with an Indian flair and hot as hell!  :-)  When I heard about this Indian girl named Aarti on The Next Food Network Star I started watching and pulling for her.  I was so happy when she won because her prize was her own show which she named Aarti Party.  She makes every day meals with an Indian flair just like Karuna's mom.  One of my favorite Aarti recipes is the Sloppy Bombay Joes.  We have garam masala on hand from a local Indian grocery store.  This recipe was a hit with my pickiest eaters, too!  Here it is:

Sloppy Bombay Joes

Trust me, it tastes better than it looks!

Hoe Cakes

Another shout out to my proud Southern roots.  Hillybilly Housewife is my new favorite website!  I haven't made these yet but it's a cross between a pancake and cornbread, 2 of my favorite things, so I can wait to make it!

Hillbilly Housewife's Hoe Cakes

Simply the Best Pork Loin Recipe Ever

I was looking online for something to do with plain old pork tenderloin in the oven.  I found this website and loved it!  I tried this recipe which the author's wife modified from another recipe based on what she had.  I have to agree with the name because it was simply the best pork loin recipe ever.  I might cut back a little more on the salt for my hubby but the dish was awesome!  Here's the link:

Simply the Best Pork Loin Recipe Ever